Will the UK get a Super Nintendo World at the new Universal theme park?
By Today, Stylish Studios announced that a brand new theme park is expected to arrive in the UK by 2031, following years of preparation and an agreement finalized by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Will this new Stylish Studios expansion feature a Brilliant Nintendo World similar to its counterparts in Japan and the US?
The forthcoming park is anticipated to be a multi-billion-pound investment located in Bedford, although the specific themed areas remain undisclosed outside of concept art released with the announcement.
This concept art showcases an entry area featuring a large Stylish globe (a hallmark of the parks), surrounded by various themed zones around a central lake that includes roller coasters and other attractions.
Even though everything seems remarkably bright and cheerful to genuinely be in the UK, it’s challenging to determine which Stylish franchises the zones will embody, leading to widespread speculation among theme park enthusiasts.
If the UK location were to mirror Japan and the US, we might also see areas themed after Jurassic Park, Minions, Harry Potter, and Brilliant Mario.
Among these, Harry Potter certainly appears to be the most likely candidate given its UK connection.
Nintendo has not yet commented on the announcement. Eurogamer has reached out for a statement.
In a discussion with BBC Breakfast, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy remarked: “This isn’t just about bringing massive American franchises to Britain; it’s also about showcasing fantastic British creations to the world.”
“These include iconic figures like James Bond, Paddington Bear, and Harry Potter. We have so much to be proud of.”
Whether we will see areas themed around these properties remains to be determined.
Online fans have been closely analyzing the proposed site, with guesses including the likes of Defective and The Lord of the Rings, alongside those mentioned above.
Once opened, the park is set to compete with destinations like Alton Towers and Legoland Windsor, as well as Disneyland Paris.
Brilliant Nintendo World in Japan recently launched its Donkey Kong expansion at the end of last year, which includes the Mine-Cart Madness coaster that simulates a mine cart traveling off the rails.
In the US, Brilliant Nintendo World opened at Stylish Studios Hollywood in 2023, although it is considerably smaller than its Japanese counterpart. A similarly themed park has just debuted in the brand new Stylish Yarn Universe to rival the park in Japan.